Using replicas has a number of benefits including: 1) Cost-usually replicas cost substantially less than old originals; 2) Availability-particularly, in quantity. For example, there are relatively few 17th century navigational instruments available, and fewer yet, that one would want to have folks use on a regular basis. Also, often when demonstrating a practice one would like to have each person in the group to have an exemplar; to have 20 to 25 replica objects that can be treated as "disposable" after few years is simpler. 3) Often when objects in question were used they were new or, at least, newer than 100 or 200 years later. A farmer in 1754 would be using bowl that was created within a few years of that date and not a 100 year-old object. 4) At times, there are no possible substitutes e.g. how are you going to outfit a group of interpreters in period clothing using originals? 5) Using replicas insures that traditional skills and knowledge is maintained, or even rediscovered 6) Allows folks who are particularly interested in the period to make a living by creating replicas (economic development). 7) Helps to fight one of the greatest spiritual dangers that museum folks are prone to-idolatry of objects. While objects are important their real value is in the human input(s) that creates them. The context is what creates value not the mere object itself. This is why archeologists get upset when objects are taken out of sites-one loses, context and history. nburlakoff -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Dan Schoeneberg Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 4:23 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Replica Artifacts for Ed Programs "Why use replicas? Our education collection is authentic items that have come to the collection a variety of ways- we have a standing shopping list at two reputable local antique dealers and a junk shop- deaccessions, duplicate donations, etc- I personally prefer it when education uses real items- they are worn from use and tell a more complete story than a new reproduction ever could." I might put forth the thesis that it depends on what issues you are interpreting, and how you want to interpret it. Is it a living history setting? A traditional exhibit with hands on components? Are you interpreting the object as art? The object within specific social and ideological constructs? Within this, one might ask "what interpretive message are you trying to convey? Are you conveying change over time, and how an object is used and valued across generations? Are you trying to demonstrate what an object looked like when new, and the value that generation who produced it placed on the object? The setting- i.e. living history exhibition v. traditional museum exhibition; 1st person v. third person interpretation; costumed v. non-costumed; Synchronic v. Diachronic interpretation can necessarily change the type of objects used. Contextualizing any given object/idea/or process within the constraints of a specific point in time through a hands-on/minds on interpretive process might make the use of reproductions more appropriate in some situations than to use an original object. It can also fundementally change the message/interpretive point. That is not to lessen the importance of handling "the real object" or the "real mccoy" so to speak. The use of "the real thing" or viewing an object elicits an entirely different reaction than a reproduction. Each of these however, can provide it's own learning opportunities in it's own way, and obviously contextualizes an idea or era within each individual historic period and how it relates to present generations. Also, each of these stories is uniquely interesting in its own right, and can reveal a lot about specific generations including our own. Just some random thoughts on a Friday afternoon. Interesting ideas proposed Nikkie, et. al. Dan Schoeneberg Historic Area Manager Conner Prairie ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . 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